A Vow So Bold and Deadly (Cursebreakers, #3)(79)

For as terrible as this task is, I’m grateful for something to do. When I sit still, my thoughts churn with agony over everything I’ve lost. It would be worse to leave the bodies anyway. I know what happens to a corpse once it begins to decompose, and I have no interest in watching it happen by a hundredfold.

Occasionally a scout or a soldier will come to the castle, bringing messages or requests or inquiries about what actions I intend to take. The first one galloped into the courtyard, took one look at me dragging a body across the cobblestones, and screamed—then ran. I don’t know what Lilith has turned loose in the forests surrounding Ironrose, but I’ve heard distant screams and rustlings in the leaves, and the people who make it all the way to the castle are few and far between. Maybe she’s cursed another prince and turned him into a monster.

Whatever it is, it leaves me alone, and I have no desire to investigate.

Despite the cold in the air, I stop in my dragging to wipe a sleeve across my forehead, but it pulls at the wounds on my face, stealing my breath for a moment. Three dozen charred bodies already lie in a row under the trees. It feels wrong to burn them, but I can’t bury them all myself, and animals have already begun to pick at the corpses.

I honestly didn’t think anything could be worse than being stuck here forever, turning into a rampaging monster season after season, but clearly Lilith has no limit.

Without warning, the enchantress speaks from somewhere nearby. “What will you do with them all, Your Highness?”

Her voice sends a jolt through me, and I wish it wouldn’t. I wish she couldn’t still elicit fear just by her closeness.

I don’t answer. I climb back on the wagon and cluck to the horse to head back to the castle.

Some people were able to escape. I know because there aren’t bodies for everyone. At first I hoped someone would find help—but I quickly realized there is no help. No one can stop her.

Hands fall on my shoulders, and I gasp and jerk away. The horse plods on.

Lilith whispers in my ear. “I cannot believe you thought you would use that silly weapon to attack me. As if I have never encountered steel from Iishellasa.”

I shiver and try to jerk free.

She leans closer, her breath hot and sickening. “As if I did not hand it to the spy myself.”

I suck in a breath.

“You’re so surprised,” she chortles. “As if I have not played these games with you for an eternity, Prince Rhen.” She pauses. “Who do you think has stoked the discord in Syhl Shallow? Who do you think whispers suggestions of assassination to anyone who will listen?” Her tongue touches my ear, and it’s like the kiss of a forge-hot blade. “You were to use it on Grey, not me.”

I shudder. She is diabolical. There is no stopping her.

It was useless to even try.

“I have even sent orders to your troops, Your Highness. Using your seal.” Her fingernails dig into my shoulders. My back is rigid against her touch.

“Your soldiers at the border will attack this regiment from Syhl Shallow. They will bring the war into Emberfall, and we will win. I have sent for troops to surround the castle.”

That’s foolish. If she wants to rule Emberfall at my side, she shouldn’t let Syhl Shallow’s soldiers get anywhere close to the castle.

“Grey will come for you,” she seethes. “The blade is gone. He will kill you, you know.”

Yes. I do know. I once thought I needed to kill the heir to protect my throne—and he will have to do the same thing if he wants to claim it.

The thought brings an unexpected tightness to my throat. So many things I wish I’d done differently.

I would have yielded to him. I would have negotiated for peace. It was Harper’s last request.

Almost her dying wish.

My breath shudders.

Now Lilith has ordered my soldiers to attack. No one will listen to a message about an alliance.

“Grey will come for you,” she says, “and I will lie in wait.” A blustering wind blasts through the trees to ruffle my hair and make me shiver, and Lilith closes her arms around my neck. “I will lie in wait so I can kill the one man who still stands in my way.”





CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

LIA MARA

My strategy room is warm from a roaring fire, and I’m surrounded by people who seem focused on a common goal for once, but my thoughts keep replaying the moment when Harper looked up at Grey with tears in her eyes and called him “Scary Grey.” Or the moment when he dropped to a knee and said, “Do you no longer trust me?” in that quiet voice I thought he only reserved for me.

Jealousy is petty and useless, especially right now, and yet I cannot seem to chase it out of my thoughts. They had a history together, Harper and Grey, and even though it might not have resulted in anything more than friendship between them, it was still clearly … something. She was hurt and she ran here. For him. That is meaningful.

Nolla Verin is deep in conversation with Clanna Sun and two of the army officers, General Torra and Captain Solt, debating whether this means we should attack now, or whether this means we would be under attack from another magical creature—but Grey’s eyes are on me. He can surely tell I’m unsettled. He notices everything.

I’m not sure what to say to him.

I’m spared the need, because Jake bursts through the doors. He’s never one for much pageantry, so I’m not surprised when he just starts talking. “Harper’s with Noah. I brought her some food and some fresh clothes.” He runs a hand across the back of his neck. “I don’t know what all happened, but she’s … she’s pretty rattled.”